Sugar Produces Bitter Results for the Environment

Dear EarthTalk: What is the environmental impact of sugar, aside from its not-so-healthy aspects? I’ve heard that the industry is no friend to the outdoor environment. – Mary Oakes, via e-mail
Sugar is present in products we consume every day, yet we rarely give a second thought to how and where it is produced and what toll it may take on the environment.
Sugar Production Damages the Environment
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), roughly 145 million tons of sugars are produced in 121 countries each year. And sugar production does indeed take its toll on surrounding soil, water and air, especially in threatened tropical ecosystems near the equator.